Irritability refers to an emotional response to an external or internal stimuli, notes MedlinePlus. The severity of irritability experienced ranges depending on the factors contributing to the emotion. A 2007 review in "Psychosomatics" notes the clinical reference to irritability, or irritable mood, is referred to as a reduction in control over temper, resulting in verbal or behavioral outbursts. The experience of irritability for the individual is often generalized, of unknown cause and seemingly unpleasant for the duration. Psychological and medical factors are associated with irritability, and in many cases, it is a symptom of an underlying condition.
Premenstrual Disorders
MayoClinic.com describes persistent irritability as a significant indicator of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, which is a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome, PMS. Both premenstrual conditions occur in women and are characterized by physical and emotional symptoms. The occurrence of each condition subsides after the beginning of menstruation, and for some women, the symptoms are severe enough to warrant use of medications to control PMDD. The level of disruption, such as inability to carry out daily activities, caused in a woman's life from premenstrual conditions delineates if medical intervention is necessary.
Anxiety
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, generalized anxiety disorder affects over six million Americans a year. Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry over known or unknown cause, and generalized anxiety occurs when excessive worry, tension and anticipated disaster plague the individual's mind.
Manageable stress occurs for most individual, however, anxiety is a condition that causes extreme stress on a psychological and physiological level. Irritability commonly presents as a symptom of anxiety disorders, often as a response to the other symptoms such as lack of sleep, persistent tension in the body and from frustrations with inability to function in daily activity.
Causes in Children
Children experience bouts of irritability, and in the young, this is described as fussiness and an inability to respond to comforting. MedlinePlus explains irritability results as a symptom of a serious underlying condition such as infection, fractures in bones or other tissue injury and reactions to toxins. In the event of irritability in children unable to verbally explain what hurts, check for other symptoms and seek medical guidance.
Trouble Sleeping
The Cleveland Clinic indicates that irritability is a common result of insomnia, or the inability to sleep. An estimated 50 percent of adults experience occasional periods of sleeplessness, however, chronic insomnia is stressful and can alter quality of life. Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling and staying asleep, disruptions in memory and concentration as well as daytime sleepiness. Physician evaluation is suggested to alleviate sleeplessness. Treatment often involves sleeping medication, psychological counseling and relaxation exercises.
Thyroid Conditions
Irritability is found in varying medical conditions, such as thyroid disease. The Hormone Foundation notes that thyroid disease can significantly impact overall health when untreated by causing disruptions in metabolism, over or under production of hormones and immune system vulnerability. Hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid produces too much hormone is characterized by irritability, diarrhea and nervousness. Graves' disease, also results in excessive thyroid hormone production, causes additional symptoms of weakness, goiter and breathing complications.
